| How to Make Beaded Tassels Posted: 08 Jul 2019 05:00 PM PDT Beaded tassels are attractive, versatile accessories that can be used to decorate around the home, embellish clothing, or jazz up jewelry. You can make them in any design and color you want. All you have to do to create one is join several strings of beads, called trailers, together into one tassel skirt. Then, you can top off the skirt with some decorative beads or a bead cap. EditDesigning Your Tassel - Decide how many trailers your finished tassel will have. You can make a tassel with as many trailers as you want. Just remember, the more trailers you make, the heavier the tassel will be. Keep this in mind especially if you intend to add the tassels to a piece of jewelry, like a pair of earrings.[1]
- When deciding how many trailers, also consider the size and type of beads you will be adding. The number of trailers not only affects the weight of the tassel, but also the bulk. For bookmarks, keychains, or necklaces you may want to go bold with large beads. But for earrings, smaller beads are better so they don't hurt your ears.
- A thin-tasseled earring might only have 5 or 6 trailers, while a keychain might have up to 20.
- It's helpful to sketch out your pattern on paper so you can visualize what the final piece will look like.
- Choose bead types and colors according to your design. Beads are made in many different sizes, colors, and materials. Depending on what you want to do with your tassel, you can choose any combination of beads that suits your style and purpose.[2]
- Usually larger, decorative beads are used on the bottom of the tassel trailers and on the body of the tassel. Small, simple beads called "seed beads" are great for use as fillers and spacers. Play around with different sizes and shapes until you find a design you love.
- Metal beads will be heavier than wooden or plastic beads, so keep the size and weight of the beads in the mind as you decide which to use.
- Gather all your beading supplies and place them in front of you. Once you've decided how many trailers and what types of beads you want, you need to gather all your supplies. Beading supplies can usually be found at craft and sewing stores–there may even be a specific aisle dedicated to jewelry-making materials.[3] You'll need:
- A spool of beading thread
- Beads of your choice
- A large, thin needle called a beading needle
- Scissors
- Ruler or tape measure
- Something to cap the trailers and finish the tassel: a bead cap, one or more larger beads, or a small jewelry ring called a "jump ring"
EditMaking the Trailers - Cut your beading thread into segments to form the trailers. The trailers are the individual strings on the tassel that make up the tassel's "skirt." They can be any length you want, but you need to make sure to cut the thread about longer than the length of the finished skirt. To cut your thread, lay the line out alongside a ruler or measuring tape and make equal cuts until you have made enough trailers.[4]
- The extra length will make it easier to tie the starting and ending knots and to attach the trailers together in forming the tassel skirt.
- For earrings, you probably want to cut no more than of thread, for a finished skirt that is about long. For keychains, bookmarks, or other jewelry, decide what is comfortable for you to carry or wear and measure based on that.
- Tie a stopper knot in one end of each trailer to hold the beads in place. Stopper knots are larger knots at the end of a line that will keep the beads from falling off. You can either tie a specific stopper knot, or just make a couple knots on top of each other to form a single knot big enough to keep your beads from slipping off the thread. The knot just needs to be bigger in diameter than the hole of your bottom bead.[5]
- Tie the knot as close to the end of the thread as you, leaving just about tail at the end. If you find it's difficult to tie the knot that close to the end of the line, you can leave a little longer tail and just trim it at the end.
- Thread the open end of the first trailer through a beading needle. If you have a steady hand or are using larger beads, you can skip this step. Threading the line through a beading needle is to help you work quickly and efficiently without losing the end of the line or struggling to feed the line through each bead.[6]
- If you're having a hard time threading the needle, try folding it at the end and pushing the folded loop through the needle's eye. The fold will stiffen the thread, making it easier to push through the eye of the needle.
- You can also wet the end of the thread with your tongue to make it easier to pass it through the eye of the needle.
- If your needle has a really small eye, try using a needle-threader–they're available at most craft stores.
- Slide the beads according to your pattern down the needle and onto the thread. Holding the needle upright (or the thread if you do not use the needle), slide the beads onto the thread one at a time according to your planned design.[7]
- Some people like to start with larger starter beads at the bottom and then add smaller beads, but it's not a necessary step. As long as the knot you made at the bottom is wider than the diameter of the first bead, you can add the beads in any order you want.
- Leave at least of open thread at the end of the line so that you can tie off the line and secure the beads in place.
- Seal the top of the trailer with another stopper knot to hold the beads in place. Directly after the last bead on the trailer, add another stopper knot to secure the beads onto the line. Don't forget to make sure the knot is wider than the last bead so that the beads don't slip off.[8]
- If you don't finish off each trailer with a stopper knot, your beads will fall off the line and you'll have to start over.
- Tie this stopper knot as close as you can to the beads. Ideally, it should be flush against the last bead, so that your row of beads doesn't slide on the trailer.
- Make the rest of the tassel skirt by adding and securing your beads to the trailers. For each trailer, thread the needle, slide on the beads, and secure the beads with stopper knots. When you are done, you will have several beaded strings ready to form into a tassel skirt.
- To easily keep track of how many trailers you've made, lay them out on the side of your workspace as you finish them.
- Use a piece of tape to stick the completed trailers to the table if you are worried about losing any. This is a good tip if you have a cat or small children that might get curious about your project.
- Inspect your trailers to make sure you like the way they look. Once your trailers are all made, lay them out on the table in front of you. Make sure they look how you want as individual strings and that you like the way they look together with the other trailers. If you don't like any of them, cut open the knot, remove the beads, and remake it.
- There is no specific way the trailers should look. It's completely up to you and your design preferences!
EditJoining the Trailers - Join your trailers under one or more larger beads to finish the tassel. To create a tassel with a beaded skirt at the bottom and a big bead or string of beads on top, just feed the lines of the individual trailers through one or more larger beads and secure with a large stopper knot.
- To make it easier to pull the ends of the trailers through the topper bead, either twist them together to make one bigger and stiffer line, or thread them through a large-eyed needle to easily pull them through the bead's hole.
- To secure the topper beads, you can add a dab of hot glue or super glue at the point where the thread comes out from the top bead.[9]
- Cap your trailers with a bead cap to create an ornate tassel. Bead caps are bell-shaped caps that slide over the top of your tassel skirt and give it a nice, finished look. You can choose between open or closed bead caps, depending on how you want to use the tassel after you've finished.[10]
- For an open bead cap, just thread the trailers through the hole in the cap and secure it with a stopper knot and glue as you would with a large bead topper.
- For a closed bead cap, tie the trailers together with a large knot and super glue the knot to the inside of the bead cap.
- Tie the trailers onto a jump ring to add them to a piece of jewelry. If you want to add the tassel to something else where the top won't show, you can just tie each trailer to small jewelry ring called a jump ring. This forms a tassel skirt that you can attach to a bracelet or a necklace, or even sew into a clothing project.[11]
- You could also glue the tassel to the back of a brooch.
- Doing the beadwork on a flat surface will make it easier to thread the beads in the pattern you have in mind, and also makes it easier to compare the succession of beads on the trailer you are working on with the ones you've already completed.
EditThings You'll Need - Spool of beading thread
- Beads of your choice
- Large, thin needle called a beading needle (optional)
- Scissors
- Ruler or tape measure
- Bead cap, 1 or more larger beads, or jump ring
- Hot glue or super glue (optional)
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| How to Make Herbal Soap Posted: 08 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT Adding dried herbs to homemade soap is a simple but creative way to add fragrance and beauty to an otherwise ordinary item. Start by melting down a plain glycerin soap base. Experiment with your favorite fragrances by adding essential oils. Then prepare your dried herbs, dried flower petals, and dried plant sprigs for the soap, either by grinding them into fine pieces or by arranging them decoratively within the soap molds. Be sure to use skin-safe, edible plants only, and avoid mixing any fresh plants into your soap. If you make enough bars of soap to share, you and your loved ones will feel oh so pampered! EditPreparing the Soap Base - Cut the block of glycerin soap into cubes or slivers. You'll make this soap with a plain glycerin soap base. Start with as much glycerin as you need to produce your desired quantity of soap bars. Use a blunt knife to chop the glycerin into pieces. Alternatively, you can use a cheese grater to grate the block into slivers.
- Smaller pieces will melt more quickly.
- For reference, of melted-down glycerin soap will make 3 bars of muffin-sized soap.[1]
- Glycerin soap can be found at most craft stores and online. Look in the soap making section.[2]
- Choose a suspension formula glycerin soap if you plan to add in heavier herbs and flowers.
- Melt down the glycerin soap in the microwave. Place the chopped up pieces of glycerin into a microwave-safe container with a pouring spout. Heat this in the microwave on 50% power for about 30 seconds. Stir the glycerin slowly using a disposable spoon and heat it again until it completely turns to liquid.[3]
- You could use a double-boiler instead, if you prefer.
- Be careful when moving the container in and out of the microwave. The glycerin will be very hot!
- Stir in a few drops of essential oil to add fragrance. Add about 2 to 5 drops of an essential oil per each ounce of glycerin. Stir gently and slowly to blend the oils with the glycerin. Some air bubbles will form, but try not to push a ton of air bubbles into the liquid glycerin. Choose fragrances that complement the types of herbs you plan to add.[4]
- If you're using dried lavender, add lavender essential oils. Pair other dried herbs with other aromas, like eucalyptus, bergamot, geranium, juniper, lemongrass, rosemary, ylang-ylang, or a citrus essential oil. The possibilities are endless!
- Don't go overboard when adding essential oils. If you add too much to your soap, the essential oils will cause skin irritation.
- Your soap recipe should never contain more than 3% essential oils. Certain oils shouldn't be used for more than 1% of the soap. Do you research and, when in doubt, use less than you think you need.[5]
EditAdding Dried Herbs - Grind up dried herbs to mix them into the liquid glycerin. Try using peppermint, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, or lemon balm in your handmade soap. Use a mortar and pestle to grind your dried herbs into a powder or use a small kitchen knife to mince up the herbs into very small pieces. Sprinkle the herbs into the microwavable container and use a disposable spoon to gently and slowly stir them into the glycerin.
- Small flecks of these dried herbs will give your soap an all-over speckly consistency, with little dark specs throughout.[6]
- Prepare roughly of dried herbs for each of glycerin used.[7]
- Arrange whole dried herbs in the bottom of the soap molds so they appear on top. Your soap could feature pretty sprigs of rosemary or colorful citrus peels and flower petals at the top. To make this happen, place whole dried herbs and, dried flower petals, or dried fruit peels into the bottom of your soap molds first. Lay them out in a nice arrangement before pouring the liquid glycerin on top.[8]
- If your chosen herbs or flowers have a top side, place them top-down into the molds.
- This works especially well if you start with a clear glycerin soap base.
- Try using whole sprigs of dried herbs or laying out individual leaves into a pattern.
- Avoid mixing whole herbs into the liquid glycerin. The dried leaves will rehydrate when you start using the soap, and you don't want to find yourself lathering a slimy leaf!
- Use only safe, edible flowers and plants in your soap. Do your research beforehand to make sure your chosen flowers are safe for soap making. A good rule of thumb is that if they're safe to eat, they're likely safe to put on your skin as well.
- Dried flower petals can look pretty in handmade soaps. Try hibiscus, rose, lavender, chamomile, goldenrod, and calendula.[9]
- Try using dried plants such as eucalyptus leaves or dried citrus peels to add fragrance and color to your soap.
- Steer clear from non-edible and toxic flowers like dahlias, oleanders, foxgloves, or lily of the valley.
- If you're not sure about the safety of a particular plant, research it online or refer to a botanical safety guidebook.
- Refrain from adding fresh plant elements to your soap. Fresh herbs, flowers, fruits, and leaves can lead to mold and bacteria.[10] Avoid using fresh plants to keep your soap safe, sanitary, and long-lasting.
- The only plants you should try fresh are lavender, rosemary, and thyme. The leaves of these herbs are pretty dry to begin with, and they can look attractive when used whole at the top of the soap. Avoid mixing them into the liquid glycerin, though.
EditSetting the Soap Bars - Pour the soap mixture into soap molds. Once you've either mixed the dried herbs into your liquid glycerin or arranged larger pieces in the bottom of your soap molds, you're ready to pour the liquid soap mixture into the molds. Carefully pour the liquid into a mold for each bar of soap you want to make. Fill each mold until you reach the top, and don't overfill it.
- Silicone baking cups, ice cube trays, and soap molds are the best choice since they'll easily release your finished bars of soap.
- If you're using a metal muffin tin, prepare it with a thin layer of cooking oil first.[11]
- Let the soap cool at room temperature for about 1 or 2 hours. Allow the soap to cool down and solidify at room temperature. Leave it to sit until the soap has hardened all the way through.[12]
- Make sure you leave the soap molds on a level surface so your soap bars don't set unevenly.
- Place the soap in the freezer for 30 minutes to cool it more quickly. While this isn't necessary, it can help speed up the cooling process. Once you take the soap out of the freezer it will be completely solid.[13]
- Remove the bars of soap from the soap molds. With silicone molds, you can carefully pop out the bars by turning the mold over and pushing them out. With metal molds, use a butter knife to loosen the side of each bar of soap and raise it up out of the mold.[14]
- Store your soap in a layer of plastic wrap or an airtight container while it's not in use. When you're using a bar of soap, keep it on a ventilated soap dish to prevent it from soaking in too much moisture.[15]
- Keep in mind that exposure to excess heat may cause your soap to have a shorter shelf life, since the glycerin base is designed to melt.
- If you've used whole dried herbs, keep an eye on them as you start to use your soap since they may rehydrate. Dispose of the whole sprigs once they come loose to prevent mold from growing.
- If you don't want to use glycerin soap, use any mild, unscented soap as your base.
- Handmade herbal soaps make great gifts. Just be sure to tell your recipient about the ingredients so they know what they're putting on their skin.
- Consult a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to learn about the ingredients you purchased and plan to include in your soap.
- Always do your research before putting something into your soap. Just because it's a natural ingredient doesn't mean it can't be harmful. Be careful about using essential oils, herbs, flowers, and other plants that may cause sensitivities and allergies.
EditThings You'll Need - Plain glycerin soap
- Butter knife
- Microwave
- Microwave safe container with a pouring spout
- Essential oils (optional)
- Dried herbs, flowers, and plants
- Mortar and pestle (optional)
- Disposable spoon
- Silicone or metal soap molds
- Cooking spray (optional)
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| How to Get a Hotel Room Upgrade Posted: 08 Jul 2019 01:00 AM PDT If hotels have extra rooms that are empty overnight, they may be willing to upgrade your stay to make it more comfortable for you. When you pick your hotel, somewhere that was recently opened or somewhere you've stayed before are the best places to try getting a better room. During check-in, be courteous and use your manners to simply ask for the upgrade. While getting a room upgrade isn't a guarantee, you can increase your chances of having a nice and relaxing trip! EditBooking Your Reservation - Try a recently opened hotel since they're more likely to upgrade you. Hotels that have just opened look for new customers and positive reviews to help boost their business against nearby competition, so they may offer room upgrades at no additional charge. If you haven't traveled to the area you're staying before, check if there are any new hotels nearby. Visit their website or call them directly to ask about their nightly rates.[1]
- You can check travel sites, like TripAdvisor, to find hotels that recently opened in the area you're staying.
- Pick a hotel you've been to before to show you're a loyal customer. If you're traveling to a city you've been to before, look at the availability in hotels where you've already stayed. If you've been to the hotel multiple times, employees may recognize you and upgrade your room since you've been a loyal customer.[2]
- If you haven't stayed in the city before, choose a branch of a hotel chain you've stayed at in the past since your name could be in their computer system.
- Stay at the hotel during the week instead of on weekends. Peak times for many hotels are during holidays and weekends, and many rooms might already be booked. If you can, choose to stay at hotels during weeknights since they'll have more rooms available for you. Check the prices of rooms on different nights of the week to find out when they're the busiest. Rooms will usually be more expensive when the hotel is busy and cheaper when there aren't as many guests.[3]
- If a hotel is more business-oriented, they may be less busy and cheaper during the weekend instead of during the week.
- You're more likely to get a room upgrade if you only stay at the hotel for 1-2 nights.
- Book directly through the hotel's website instead of a third-party travel site. While it may be slightly more expensive, going directly to the hotel's website can show you're loyal to a brand and could boost your chances at receiving a room upgrade. Visit the hotel's website and choose when you're staying so you can book your reservation with them.[4]
- Try using an incognito web browser when you book your hotel since prices may be cheaper than if you use your regular browser.
- Join the hotel's loyalty program if they offer one. Many larger chains of hotels have loyalty cards that you can sign up for to earn points toward rewards, such as amenities and room upgrades. When you book your hotel, look for an online sign-up for a rewards programs and fill out the information completely. The more you stay at that hotel chain, the more likely you are to get a room upgrade at little or no cost.[5]
- Choose a deluxe room rather than a standard one. Look for mid-level rooms at the hotel you chose rather than the cheapest room you can find. Hotel managers and employees will see that you care about your stay to pay for a nicer room, so they may be more willing to upgrade you when you arrive.[6]
- Avoid making any room requests in advance, such as wanting a fridge or high-speed internet, since they could assign you a room before your stay and make it more difficult to switch later on.
EditUpgrading during Check-In - Dress well to show you're responsible. Wear business casual or business formal clothes when you check in, such as a dress shirt with pants or a nice blouse with a skirt. Hotel employees will see your outfit and think that you're professional and responsible, so they may be more likely to upgrade your room. Avoid wearing any dirty or baggy clothes since the employees may think you won't take good care of the room.[7]
- Arrive between 3-5 PM for the best chances at an upgrade. Even if you're able to check in earlier in the day, wait until the late afternoon since receptionists will know which rooms are more likely to be vacant overnight. Try to get to the hotel between 3-5 PM since the employees may bump you into a better room.[8]
- Don't arrive much later than 6 PM since employees that have the power to give you an upgrade may have left for the day.
- Let the check-in counter know if you are celebrating a special occasion. If you are staying at the hotel because of a birthday, anniversary, or another important event, let the receptionist or concierge know in conversation. Bring it up casually in conversation when you're checking in since the employees may be able to upgrade your room to help you celebrate.[9]
- Avoid lying about special events just to get a hotel room upgrade. You might stay at the same hotel again in the future, and keeping up with the lie could become too complicated.
- Ask politely if there's an opportunity for a room upgrade. While you're checking in, ask the receptionist if there's any way they can upgrade your room. Smile and be genuine with the staff so you're more likable and stand out from other guests. Let them know specific things you'd like in your room, such as a different view or more space. If you're polite, they may be willing to meet your requests so you have the best stay.[10]
- For example, you may ask directly by saying, "Are there any rooms available to upgrade to?" or you can ask indirectly by saying something like, "Do you have something on a higher floor?"
- Try asking how much it would be to upgrade your room. If you show that you're willing to pay extra, the hotel may upgrade you at no charge if it's a simple fix.
- Complain about your room if you're genuinely not satisfied with it. If you get to your room and there's a problem, like the shower isn't working or the blinds don't close properly, talk to the receptionist or concierge to let them know about the problem. Tell them why the room doesn't meet your expectations as politely as you can so the staff is more likely to fix the problem. Many times, the hotel wants you to feel comfortable during your stay and will switch your room.[11]
- Avoid making up complaints about your room just to get an upgrade. You could end up getting an employee at the hotel in trouble.
- Don't be rude during your stay, or else you won't be considered for a room upgrade.
- Avoid making up complaints or special occasions just to get an upgraded room.
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